Dame was visibly spent at the end of the Detroit game. You're not going to play great defense when you're exhausted. So, Alternate Question: Why was he so tired? I hate Westbrook, but he plays harder than Dame and seems to be never this tired.
Talent is in the brain, yes. What is "passing talent?" It's the ability to see the lanes even before they open up and understand the angles intuitively, etc. Defensive talent is the same thing--it's having an innate feel for how nine other people are moving, where to be next--not to snuff the current action, but rather to snuff the real action that the offense is trying to set up two steps down the line. It's easy to learn the basics and anyone, with enough effort, can learn enough to figure all these things out while watching film and being able to stop or slow down the film--being able to figure it all out from the middle of the action at full speed is talent. Everything in the NBA takes effort, but effort isn't enough.
Excellent example. Similarly, many great rebounders can see where the ball is coming off the rim much sooner and easier than others. I doubt that is completely explainable or teachable, some of that is simply innate. Or the ability to properly time/direct shot blocking attempts--I don't think Hassan Whiteside would be able to teach Meyers Leonard his secrets even if he wanted to. There's a lot in basketball that is innate and instinctual, and it's possible that much of a player's defensive ability falls into that category.
Just because I said the word "brain" doesn't mean I'm talking about all-around intelligence. Everything to do with perception, recognition, awareness comes from the brain. Patterson obviously had tremendous defensive awareness and capacity for defensive recognition. That doesn't mean he had the same awareness and recognition for passing (thus, just because Lillard has the awareness and recognition necessary to be a good passer, it doesn't mean he has the same capacities for defense) or that he was a smart guy when it came to off-court situations.
There are many different types of intelligence beyond that which is measured by the IQ test. I have no doubt that Ruben Patterson has areas of aptitude in which he far surpasses you or me.
Your right. Not just in the NBA but in basketball in general offense is more important than defense. Offense sells in today's game and everyone wants a shooters touch.
As an aside, just saw his most recent Foot Locker commercial for the first time this morning (yeah, I'm behind the times), and it cracked me up. Loved Bill Russell's appearance. Spoiler
Defense requires effort. Dame has all the talent in the world to even sorta stay in front of his man, and doesn't. It is entirely an effort issue.
For a guy who routinely uses a hesitation dribble to lull his man to sleep before blowing by him for a layup, Dame seems at times oblivious to the signs that his man is about to do the same thing to him.
Dame had a hell of a game last night....he's our first option on offense...I for one don't want Ricky Rubio for his defense and passing....Dame got nearly a triple double last night...he's beasting ..playing big minutes and knows he HAS to score at the end of games to give us a chance....what we miss is a guy like Nic Batum guarding opposing pt guards to keep Dame with fresh legs...Dame is getting to the line more...getting more assists and rebounds...the last guy we want to bash on the team.......2 time MVP Steve Nash was no stellar defender either
No one expects him to make an all defensive team, just TRY. He doesn't even try to stay in front of his man. Me, and others that are basketball smarter than me, think it's because he believes he can get it back. We will never win a title with Dame until he outs forth more effort on defense. Again, just TRY
Played a hell of a game offensively. Had he put forth more effort on defense and threw the ball in to Nurk, maybe that game has a different outcome
